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Flemming Rasmussen at the wall in the studio , where there hangs a series of platinum and gold records with Metallica, which he has received . Photo: Bo Svane

Producer Flemming Rasmussen is best known in metal circles as the producer for Metallica’s classic Ride The Lightning (’84), Master Of Puppets (’86) and … And Justice For All (’88) albums. He recently spoke with Ultimate-Guitar.com about working with Metallica and addressed the controvery surrounding the “missing” bass tracks on …And Justice For All. An excerpt is available below.

Rasmussen:

“I never understood why the bass was never louder on the album. But you’ll have to talk to Lars (Ulrich) and James (Hetfield) about that. Jason (Newsted) was technically a better bass player than Cliff (Burton). He was much tighter and faster and all this.

Musically I don’t know. Did he ever co-write any of the songs? He probably did on the later albums but they never really gave the poor guy a chance. Did they?

I’m one of the few persons who heard the bass tracks on …And Justice for All and as far as I’m concerned they’re absolutely killer. He did a really good job on that.

I’d love to remix that album. I’m pretty sure the guys who did it (Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero), I know they would love to mix it again. Because they set it up and made it sound good and then Lars and James came in and fucked it all up, hahaha.”

From Hell’s Heart:
What are the top 5 songs about Ancient Egypt?

This will be the first in a series about history. We won’t do a history one every week, just now and then. The idea is, loads of metal bands derive lyrical inspiration from history. Some bands even build their whole “shtick” around a specific historical era. For this week, that historical era is Ancient Egypt….you know, the time of the pharaohs, the ancient Egyptian gods etc… Below is what out staff picked as the best songs about this topic.

SONISPHERE

28.05 2014

Hietaniemi beach, Helsinki

REVIEW AND PHOTOS BY MARKO SYRJALA

The Sonisphere Festival is an annual touring metal/rock festival which takes place across Europe between June and August. In Finland, the tour was seen for the sixth time and this time it was organized in Hietaniemi beach in Helsinki. Headlining was, as usual, Metallica. The show is part of “Metallica by Request” tour, where fans can vote for this concert set list. Other performers included: Slayer, Danzig Mastodon, Gojira and Ghost. For practical reasons I didn’t get into area until 06:00, just in time to see Danzig show to begin, so I missed the first three bands this time. But let’s start from there then !!

Metallica had a bit of a hard time deciding which Ronnie James Dio track to cover for late icon’s “This Is Your Life” tribute album, resulting in the decision to compile “Ronnie Rising Medley,” a 9-minute jam of Dio’s four all-time classics.

Combining “Tarot Woman,” “Kill the King,” “Stargazer,” and “A Light in the Black” songs under the Metallica banner, the song is available for streaming in full. Make sure to give it a listen below, courtesy of Rolling Stone.

As for the album, “This Is Your Life” is scheduled for April 1 release via Rhino Records, featuring Dio covers by such class acts as Judas Priest, Motorhead, Anthrax, Slipknot and more. Pre-orders are available via iTunes here.

“Ronnie’s music, and what he was, was part of my life,” drummer Lars Ulrich said. “[Dio’s] music is so much a part of what’s in Metallica’s DNA, the harder, edgier, blues-based hard rock from the Seventies. It was fairly effortless to put this together, because it’s something that we were all reared on.

“I don’t recall sitting there in a band meeting or anything deciding what to play. Somebody starts playing ‘Stargazer’ – which is sort of just like something that’s in our arsenal to jam – and then that whole period there, ‘Tarot Woman,’ ‘Kill the King,’ ‘A Light in the Black’ – that’s just really effortless to jump into,” Lars added.

Noting that putting together cover jams is something that Metallica loves working on, the drummer concluded, “You just try and do your own thing, respectfully, in the shadow of these legends,” the drummer says. “It becomes more of an homage and respect thing rather than trying to copy the song – it’s not even about outdoing them.”

Metallica posted official footage of “The Lords of Summer” live debut via the band’s official YouTube channel:

The band debuted a brand new song on Sunday night (March 16) during the opening show of the band’s South American tour in Bogota, Colombia. As promised, the band played a nearly all-request set, with 17 songs chosen online by fans prior to the gig and the last slot filled by the new track.

The time has come to reveal the 2014 lineup of Heavy Montréal presented by Molson Canadian, the can’t-miss rendezvous of heavy music lovers, back for its sixth edition this year. As announced previously, in order to reach a maximum number of fans, the festival will continue to widen its horizons by presenting a larger variety of bands, making it possible for the rock and metal family to expand and to attract festival-goers from all around the world.

Among those who will shake up Parc Jean-Drapeau on August 9 and 10, we find the ultimate heavy metal band, METALLICA, who will perform their only show in North America this summer at Heavy Montréal. Every ticket holder will be able to send their request to the band with code provided to them following their purchase. Furthermore, it will be an all-request show, with a setlist picked by the fans! Other confirmed acts include SLAYER, ANTHRAX, LAMB OF GOD, APOCALYPTICA, EXODUS, SYMPHONY X, OVERKILL and many more!

A fourth stage will be added this year in order to showcase more artists, including many local bands, and to maximize the festival experience for the fans. And, after a ton of success last year, the Heavy Maniawrestlers will return to Heavy Montréal this summer. More details will be announced about this in the next few months.

Weekend passes for Heavy Montréal 2014 will go on sale on Friday, March 7th at noon via HeavyMontreal.com. New this year: Gold Weekend Pass holders will have access to the Heavy Montréal terrace, a multi-level platform offering a premium view of the two main stages, with access to private washrooms and exclusive food and beverage stands.

**The ONLY UK shows by Metallica and Iron Maiden in 2014**4th – 6th JULY 2014

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF ROCK AT KNEBWORTH

SONISPHERE 2014 – CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF ROCK AT KNEBWORTH

Iron Maiden and Metallica, the two biggest metal bands on the planet, will make history this summer when they co-headline the Sonisphere Festival in Knebworth, the very first time both bands have appeared together on a British bill, and the ONLY CONCERTS EITHER BAND WILL PLAY IN THE UK IN 2014.

Both Metallica and Iron Maiden headlined their first ever Knebworth concerts under the Sonisphere banner and now these giants of the world stage return together to fly the Sonisphere flag once more; bigger and bolder than ever before. For the first time ever fans will have the chance to see both bands come together to head up what will surely make for one of the most historic festival bills in heavy rock music.

British legends Iron Maiden will bring their immensely successful ‘Maiden England’ World Tour to a spectacular finale.

Vocalist Bruce Dickinson comments:

“We all grew up in England well aware of the importance of the legendary concerts at Knebworth, and scarily it all seems quite recent! Without being clichéd, it really is an honor and privilege to return to play there with the purpose of celebrating some of the finest moments in British rock history from inspirational bands like Pink Floyd, The Who, Zeppelin, The Stones and Genesis.

This will be the last concert of our ‘Maiden England’ Tour and it is very fitting to end a long and hugely enjoyable tour in our own back yard. We have tweaked the ‘Maiden England’ set list a bit to make it more representative of our whole 80s era and to give the fans something a bit different, especially as this will be the last of our three tours with an historical perspective. If you are there on the day it is highly likely that you will hear some of these songs played live for the very last time ever. So on an occasion like this, a celebration and the end of a chapter, you can be sure we will do our utmost to give our fans one hell of a show and go out with all guns blazing.”

Also headlining will be one of the biggest selling rock acts of all time, Metallica. Formed in 1981 by drummer Lars Ulrich and vocalist and guitarist James Hetfield, Metallica are one of the most influential and successful rock bands in history. Next summer’s performance by Metallica will see the band delivering a ‘Metallica By Request’ interactive setlist spanning their entire career. For full details, see below.

Says Lars Ulrich:

“This just works on all fronts:

Metallica and Knebworth, Metallica by Request, Metallica and Iron Maiden.

To be invited to co-headline the 40th anniversary celebration at the legendary Knebworth House is truly a mindf*ck. Considering the iconic bands whose performances at Knebworth are part of rock and roll history, it’s not only a next level honor, but a somewhat humbling undertaking.

And what could be more fitting on our third Knebworth go-around than to play an all-request set, chosen entirely by the fans? We are soooo excited about the limitless possibilities of our friends picking what songs Metallica get to perform on this forthcoming evening from the nearly 140 songs we’ve recorded throughout our ride. Who knows what crazy challenges will be thrown our way? Maybe a song that has never been performed live before? Maybe a few deep cuts that haven’t been aired in ages? Maybe a couple of your toe-tapping favorites? An obscure cover? Whatever happens, it will be unique, it will be special, and it’s all up to you.

Add the cherry on top…co-headlining with Iron Maiden, who are a big reason that Metallica exists in the first place. Although we haven’t played together on the same day since 1988, this is the closest we’ve come for 25 years, and for all our fans who share the same love for Iron Maiden as we, the band members do, this will hopefully amount to what many rock fans would consider a dream bill.

First a quick description: large format hardcover, 9 1/2” x 11 1/4”, full colour throughout, the story of the band using lots of my previously unpublished interviews with the band, long reviews of the whole catalogue by top journos and mostest coolest… an explosion of visuals, from the very best live photography down to passes ‘n’ ads. basically done up real pretty like my new Rush book – if you like that format, here it is applied to the kings of thrash.

After receiving the RONNIE JAMES DIO Lifetime Achievement Award last night (Thursday, May 2nd) at the fifth annual Revolver Golden Gods award show at Club Nokia in Los Angeles, California, METALLICA took to the stage for a quick set.

The band performed four songs including ‘Disposable Heroes’, ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’, JUDAS PRIEST’s ‘Rapid Fire’ (for which they were joined by ROB HALFORD), and ‘Seek And Destroy’.

Fan filmed video of Metallica’s performance with Halford can be seen below:

IMAX Corporation and Picturehouse today announced that Metallica Through the Never, filmmaker Nimród Antal’s captivating 3D movie featuring one of music’s most enduring and iconic bands, will be digitally re-mastered into the immersive IMAX 3D format and released wide in North America exclusively into IMAX®theatres for a one-week engagement starting Friday, September 27th. The film will expand into additional theatres on October 4th.

Starring Metallica, a cast of thousands of their fans and breakout star Dane DeHaan (Chronicle, The Amazing Spider-Man 2), Metallica Through the Never is written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Nimród Antal (Predators, Kontroll) and produced by former IMAX film producer Charlotte Huggins (Journey to the Center of the Earth). The film marries groundbreaking footage and editing techniques with a compelling narrative, in which a band crew member (played by DeHaan) is sent out on a mission during Metallica’s roaring live set in front of a sold-out arena. While on this mission, he unexpectedly has his life turned completely upside down.

“IMAX! It doesn’t get bigger or cooler than that!” said Lars Ulrich who formed Metallica in 1981 together with James Hetfield. “For four guys in a rock band of average height, to get a chance to unleash their 3D film on IMAX screens the size of buildings across the country is a mind-blowing thought. ‘Hey look, Mom, I’m 50 feet tall (finally!)’ There is no better way to experience film and when you throw in the spectacle of music and sound this should amount to an unprecedented, unique and truly next level experience.”

“The totally immersive experience of IMAX 3D is the perfect complement to Metallica’s in-your-face, big and loud performance style,” said Bob Berney, CEO of Picturehouse. “The combination of the band’s music and a strong storyline create a unique cinematic experience for die-hard fans and general moviegoers alike.”

“Nimród Antal and Metallica have done a tremendous job capturing the essence of the band’s commanding live performances and have created a visual and aural cinematic spectacle,” said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Entertainment. “We believe the power of The IMAX Experience will deliver for Metallica fans and ensure they feel every part of this journey.”

The IMAX 3D release of Metallica Through the Never will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience with proprietary IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images, coupled with IMAX’s customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio, create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

You’ve got to tip your hat to the lads in Beatallica. Few would have thought to merge together two of the most successful acts of their respective genres – pop tunesmiths the Beatles and thrash metal bashers Metallica – and create a must-hear, creative blend of both iconic artists. And the band that contains such wittily named band members as Jaymz Lennfield, Kliff McBurtney, Ringo Larz, and Grg III are back with their third full-length overall, ‘Abbey Load,’ on April 16th via Oglio Records (a label that is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year).

“Overall the album is our darkest,” explains Lennfield. “Not sure why it turned out that way, to be honest. We didn’t realize it til we got to listening to the first mixes. It sounds brooding in places. Not like we tuned down any more or played any stoner rock or anything. But the overall vibe is deeper than other projects we’ve done. Maybe it’s cuz the Beatles Abbey Road was the last release for them – like the end of an era. And we were placing our fingers on that. After a while, I got to embrace that whole vibe. Beatallica is always fun and interesting, and yes there are ‘candy’ songs on the album such as ‘Help!’ and ‘I Saw Her Standing There’… but there is something more foreboding about Abbey Load than what we initially thought.”

Once more, Beatallica have successfully found links between both aforementioned bands, most notably on the album’s tour de force, “Abbey Load Medley.” “The medley…well, it’s obviously one of the great famous pieces of rock music,” says Lennfield. “We really enjoyed working in NEWER Metallica tunes. Folks always ask us how much old stuff from Metallica we can use. Helloooo…they have a LARGE catalog, so use it!. Those tunes work great, plus the fact that we are doing what we always do: deal with tempo, time signature, rhythm patterns, keys from major to minor, adding our own riffs, etc., but now we have to make all the songs in the medley sound like they fit. Not just one song at a time, but now five songs, bang-bang-bang.. The challenge was irresistible.”

As for Beatallica’s plans for 2013, Lennfield predicts some good, old-fashioned global roadwork. “Well, we’d like to finally hit Japan. It’s just way overdue. We have US folks asking for us to come back so we’ll see how to best route. As far as Europe, they are starting to consider the fall sometime.”

“Beatallica is so much more than a novelty cover band,” adds Oglio Records founder Carl Caprioglio. “Beatallica’s members and producer are among the most creative and talented people I have encountered in my years with Oglio Records. Their ability to blend influences from these two legendary bands is as amazing and impressive today as it was when we met in 2006.”

Imagine what the Beatles’ ‘Abbey Road’ would have sounded like if it had been originally released by Metallica, and you have a good starting point for ‘Abbey Load.’

Lars Ulrich describes the plot: “It’s two separate worlds — a Metallica show and a story that unfolds in a parallel universe — and at some point they intertwine”

Metallica’s upcoming 3D movie now has an official title and theatrical release date: Metallica Through the Never will hit movie screens on August 9, the band revealed on their website today (January 15). The film, written and directed by Predators lensman Nimród Antal, will consist of concert footage shot during Metallica’s August 2012 performances at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena and will also feature a fictional narrative centered around actor Dane DeHaan (set to co-star in 2014’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2).

According to the official statement, “DeHaan plays a young band crew member who is sent out on an urgent mission while the band is playing a rousing live set in front of a sold-out crowd and unexpectedly finds his world turned completely upside down.”

Through the Never will be the first flick distributed by the newly relaunched Picturehouse, the independent film marketing and distribution company that was founded in 2005 and subsequently shuttered in 2008. Picturehouse founder Bob Berney announced today that the company would reopen with him acting as CEO and his wife, Jeanne Berney, serving as president. “Nim and the band have made a film that really captures the spirit of Metallica and their millions of loyal fans,” Berney said. “It’s an entertaining genre film with a concert inside it, a fun ride featuring an exciting young actor, Dane DeHaan.”

Metallica wrote in a post on their website, “Like your friends in ‘Tallica, Picturehouse is truly independent, take big chances and often think outside of the box.” Drummer Lars Ulrich added, “Metallica’s way of doing things is to jump into unexplored creative endeavors with no safety net whatsoever.” (Sure, like online streaming.)

Ulrich continued, saying, “Putting this movie together for the last couple of years has been a pretty wild ride, and we’ve definitely done our share of flying without a net! Bringing Bob and Jeanne and the new Picturehouse team in at this point provides us with a much needed level of security for the distribution of the film. Their spirit of independence and desire to work outside the box is something we can relate to in every way, and this makes them both a welcome addition and a natural fit in the Metallica family.”

In a recent interview with Classic Rock (via Blabbermouth), the Danish drummer compared Through the Never to Led Zeppelin’s 1976 concert movie, The Song Remains the Same, which included fantasy sequences starring each member of the English rock band. “There are four members in Led Zeppelin, four members in Metallica, it’s a full-length movie, and there’s a lot in this film that does not take place onstage,” Ulrich said. “The major difference is that the stuff that takes place offstage in the Metallica movie does not feature any members of Metallica. It’s two separate worlds — a Metallica show and a story that unfolds in a parallel universe — and at some point they intertwine.” Back in September, YVRshoots.com uploaded photos of a riot scene filmed in Vancouver for Through the Never that featured, “400 extras as rioters and riot police, things on fire and riders on horses.”

This won’t be the heavy metal icons’ first foray into cinema. Aside from last year’sQuebec Magnetic concert DVD, the foursome also appeared in the 2004 documentary Some Kind of Monster, which focused on the fallout of longtime bassist Jason Newsted’s decision to quit Metallica in 2001 and the long-building resentment between the group’s remaining members.

Eagle Records is delighted to announce the release of Re-Machined – A Tribute To Deep Purple’s Machine Head album on September 25 [MSRP $13.99 for CD, digital TBA].

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the release of this landmark album and in recognition of the influence of the band, and of Machine Head in particular. Some of rock music’s biggest names have each contributed a version of their favorite track on the album to create Re-Machined – A Tribute To Deep Purple’s Machine Head.

There are two wildly differing versions of the album’s most famous track “Smoke On The Water”, one from guitar hero Carlos Santana with vocals by Jacoby Shaddix and one from alternative rockers Flaming Lips, and Metallica have contributed their own special take on “When A Blind Man Cries”, a track recorded at the “Machine Head” sessions but originally released as the B-side to “Never Before”.

Iron Maiden’s “Space Truckin’” cover was actually recorded back in 2006. Lead singer Bruce Dickinson explains, “Initially we didn’t think we’d be able to contribute anything due to our touring commitments. Then we remembered ‘Space Truckin’ which we’d recorded as a single B-side during our A Matter Of Life And Death album session, but never used. However now, thanks to Kevin Shirley’s remixing skills, we’re able to include it on Re-Machined”

Initially released as a limited edition Classic Rock “fanpack” on September 3, this is a truly unique release that will appeal to rock fans everywhere.Eagle Rock Entertainment is the largest producer and distributor of music programming for DVD, Blu-Ray, TV, Audio and Digital Media in the world. Eagle works directly alongside talent to produce top quality, High Definition and 3D programs, both concerts and documentaries, including The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Who, Queen, The Doors, Jeff Beck, U2, Peter Gabriel, Paul McCartney and Ozzy Osbourne. Eagle is a Grammy Award winning company and has received over 30 multi-platinum, over 50 platinum and over 90 gold discs, worldwide. Eagle Rock Entertainment has offices in London, New York, Toronto, Paris and Hamburg.

July 2012 is “Metallica Month” In Metal-Rules.com’s Library of Loudness

Metal-Rules.com felt it was high time that they got caught up on some of the many Metallica books that have been published in the past decade or so. This month they featured and reviewed six titles about Metallica and a bonus book about the origins of Bay-area thrash. They are listed by authors last name below. Click on the title to check out the review!

About Metal-Rules.com’s Library of Loudness: In recognition of the dramatic increase in metal-related books Metal-Rules.com has developed this unique section dedicated to reviews and opinions about Heavy Metal literature.